In Defense of Kuth

Costus root, Kuth, Saussurea costus, Saussurea lappa, the premier incense ingredient for The Ram incense at The Scented Djinn is -- has become -- the most coveted herb root in my apothecary. I'm like a cat with catnip when I'm around costus. It burns beautifully and true to scent when used in incense, and creates this lush old wood, rustic, salt of the earth aura when releasing its scent into the air. And goats. Let's not forget the goats. Some describe it as wet fur, dirty dog, and human skin, albeit a very grimy, dirty human. A LOT of people can't stand the scent of costus because it is too much of all that for them. It has been described as smelling unpleasant, gross, far too goaty, or too dirty skin-like. Burning it as incense makes you feel better, at least that's been my experience. In The Ram, though it is the predominating scent, there are other scents melded in as well, so the scent is slightly more muted than the raw herb, but the raw herb -- boy, it's getting to the point where I will often burn just a piece of costus root by itself. I may be imagining things, but it seems like the whole house becomes calm, no one is losing 'it' or being dramatic when costus 'stink' fills the air. There is a lot to be said for these strong, odiferous herbs.